What makes a good blog post?

As we discussed in class, good blog posts have the following qualities:

1. A title/headline
2. A clear point / argument that is SPECIFIC              
3.  Examples/ evidence that supports your point 
4. A combination of pictures/graphics and words (if applicable) 
5. A PERSONAL TWIST of some kind … why are you the only person who can write this? Why is your perspective unique?
6. A CLEAR VOICE that will deliver a certain tone to the reader … is it conversational? Serious? Sarcastic? 

 PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES/STEPS IN WRITING  YOUR BLOG POSTS:

Step 1: Create a keyword/phrase for your blog post. In 1-4 words, what is it about?: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Step 2: What is the purpose of this blog post? What overall message do you hope to send to readers? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 3: What are 3-4 pieces of evidence/examples you will use to prove this point:

·         _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

·         __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

·         __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

·         __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Pick one/multiple graphics/pictures/images that will explain or help you prove your point

Step 5: Call to Action: ask yourself- why am I writing this post? Why are they reading this post? What ONE action do I most want them to take after they read my post? (Never assume it’s obvious.)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Optional for this post – Step 6: Links to:

·         Other blogs about the same topic

·         Additional information about the topic you are writing about

·         Sources of your own information (“according to …”) 

EXAMPLES OF GOOD BLOG POSTS:
1) The Motherlode - Blog about abuse at school
2) Five Female Celebrities I'm Boycotting and Why (pro-choice blog)